The Buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A robin standing in grass with an earthworm in its mouth.
Nature curiosity: How do robins find worms?
4/14/2023Read moreFinding worms below ground is a sensory experience for robins, but they might not be using the senses you think.
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A sprout in soil being held by two hands.
What's the difference: Dirt vs. soil
4/11/2023Read moreWe use the terms soil and dirt interchangeably, but they are not one and the same. Dirt is one component of soil, which is a complex mixture of several components.
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A cellar spider.
Myth buster: Daddy long legs are the most venomous spider in the world
4/6/2023Read moreDaddy long legs are one of the most venomous spiders in the world? Not so, but the rumor has been circulating for generations.
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A beaver gnawing on vegetation.
Five fun facts about those busy beavers
4/5/2023Read moreThe old saying "busy as a beaver" is no joke. Beavers are among the most industrious animals on Earth, and they put their skills to good use.
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A bobcat standing in short grass.
Five facts about stealthy, solitary bobcats
3/24/2023Read moreOf the 40 wildcat species in the world, just the bobcat lives in Illinois, and even its existence here is a surprise to many people.
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A young squirrel sleeping in a tree cavity.
Check your trees for nests before trimming or pruning
3/23/2023Read moreThe trees may still be dormant at this time of year, but they could still be full of life. If you're planning to trim or prune your trees, make sure to give them a good once over to check for active squirrel and bird nests.
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A hand drips water onto a plant.
Five ways to conserve water around your home
3/22/2023Read moreWater isn't an unlimited resource. As water scarcity increasingly becomes a problem across the globe, efforts to conserve it become more crucial.
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A Canada goose standing on one leg in shallow water.
Nature curiosity: Why do birds stand on one leg?
3/10/2023Read moreBirds stand on one leg for one simple reason: to help them stay warm.
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A peregrine falcon diving in flight.
What you need to know about our fierce, high-flying falcons
3/3/2023Read moreIf you think about large, imposing birds that we see soaring above or perched on high while scanning for a meal, raptors like hawks and eagles probably come to mind. Maybe even owls. But there's another kind of raptor we see that can be just as imposing — falcons, three species of which can be seen in Illinois.
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A side-by-side comparison of a turkey vulture and black vulture
What's the difference?: turkey vulture vs. black vulture
3/2/2023Read moreWe usually only have one vulture species in town, but in places where their ranges overlap, turkey vultures and black vultures can be difficult to distinguish from one another.
Current Headlines
Stock up on native species this spring with Foundation's online plant sale
Now is the time to start planning your spring native plant sale wish list for your yard and garden. The Nature Foundation of Will County's online spring plant sale runs from April 6 to April 27 with plant pickup dates on May 18 and 19. An in-person plant sale will be held on the plant pickup dates.
Forest Preserve sites host solar eclipse viewing parties
The Forest Preserve will host three solar eclipse viewing parties on April 8 and an educational eclipse weekend on April 6 and 7. Learn about this rare occurrence, which will not happen again until 2044, and view it safely, weather permitting.